The Hearts of Age

Synopsis

A colonial scene in the U.S. An old lady sits astride a bell while a man in blackface, wig, and livery pulls the bell rope. From an upper door emerges an old man, dressed as a dandy, who tips his hat to the woman as he walks down stairs grinning. Others leave the same door and walk down the same stairs: a shabby man, a cop, and, several times, the same dandy. The man in blackface hangs himself; the dandy continues to smile. A bell tolls, a grave beckons. In the dark, the dandy plays the piano. Is he Death? The Hearts of Age is the first film made by Orson Welles. The film is an eight-minute short, which he co-directed with William Vance in 1934. The film stars Welles' first wife, Virginia Nicholson, as well as Welles himself. He made the film while attending the Todd School for Boys, in Woodstock, Illinois, at the age of 19.

Main Cast

Orson Welles

Death

Age : 70 | Popularity : 19%

William Vance

Indian in Blanket

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Edgerton Paul

Bell-Ringer in Blackface (as Paul Edgerton)

Age : N/A | Popularity : 3%

Virginia Nicholson

Keystone Cop

Age : 80 | Popularity : 3%

Crew

Department	Role	Name
Directing	Director	Orson Welles William Vance
Writing	Writer	Orson Welles
Camera	Director of Photography	William Vance
Production	Producer	William Vance
Department	Role	Name

Join the discussion